Featuring near the front in all practice sessions, and close to netting a top 10 result on debut, you got the feeling Stanaway was going to have to be reckoned with.

When we got to Monza however, Richie was buried in the field, unable to make any real impact on the race. As a single car entry for SimBlacks, the New Zealander failed to nail his setup and qualifying position, ultimately relegating him to fighting in the mid pack all night. 

Finishing 23rd, over a minute off the lead will motivate Richie, and the 2017 Sandown 500 winner will be working hard to vault back up the field and make a real impact in the coming races.

Richie will be back, he is one of the most credentialed drivers in the series. Watch out for Richie when the series resumes August 31st from Belgium.